DUBAL to host ARABAL 2008 in Dubai under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum

The event, which will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum (Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of DUBAL), is expected to attract relevant participants from the aluminium industry in the Gulf region as well as representatives of international aluminium industry players.

Importantly, ARABAL 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of ARABAL's inception, the inaugural event having been hosted by Kuwait Aluminium Company from 24 to 26 October 1983.

An ARABAL Conference and Exhibition has been held every second year since then, with the honour of hosting the prestigious event rotating between the major aluminium producers in the Arab world - namely Kuwait Aluminium, Aluminium Bahrain ('ALBA'), DUBAL and the Aluminium Company of Egypt ('EGYPTAL').

Given the rapid growth of the aluminium industry in the region, as evidenced by the new smelter development projects already announced in the UAE (Emirates Aluminium in Abu Dhabi), Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the number of potential ARABAL event hosts is likely to expand directly in the near future.

'We are extremely privileged to be hosting ARABAL 2008, and equally proud that we can do so under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum,' says Khalid E Buhumaid (GM: Corporate Relations & International Affairs and Official Spokesperson for DUBAL).

'By design, the event provides a forum for specialists and major aluminium companies from the Arab world to transfer their experiences and exchange information with the regional aluminium smelters and other downstream companies, alongside participants from multinational organisations. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most important events in the international aluminium industry calendar, such that we are confident of attracting more than 600 delegates from across the globe'.

Strong interest already exists regarding the Middle East, reflecting its rapid growth in recent years and potential to become a leading player in the aluminium industry.

In 1980, the region contributed 1% of the total world aluminium production.

Today, it accounts for about 7% of the 38 million tonnes of metal produced on the world market each year.

Moreover, the region is ideally positioned to play an even greater role as a primary producer - especially given the need for additional production capacity created by the increasing demand for the metal worldwide, coupled with the vast energy resources available and convenient location of the Middle East on the world map.

Indeed, leading industry experts believe that, by 2020, the Middle East will produce approximately 6 million tonnes of aluminium a year (equating to more than 10% of global production); and that, by 2030, the volume produced by the region will rise to about 10 million tonnes.

Already, several major international aluminium companies, such as Rio Tinto Alcan and Hydro, have invested in joint venture smelter developments in the GCC region, specifically in Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Current estimates indicate that the number of smelter complexes in the region will increase at least by six over the next decade.

ARABAL 2008 will also stimulate commercial opportunities for Dubai by showcasing the city's superb tourism and business infrastructure to an international audience; and will simultaneously demonstrate its innovative and cosmopolitan flair.

According to Buhumaid, the chosen theme for ARABAL 2008 is 'The Changing Dynamics of the Aluminium Industry in the Gulf Region'.

This will be interpreted through a combination of plenary session and panel discussions in the conference component, the content of which will focus on the specific needs of the fast-growing sector.

The topics addressed will range from energy and power generation challenges in building smelters; securing bauxite and alumina supplies; project financing; marketing aluminium metal; skills development and training; innovation and product development; responsible aluminium production; emerging trends in the aluminium industry; and value-adding downstream industries.

'Acknowledging the international status of ARABAL 2008, the programme will feature regional and international speakers who are authorities in their respective fields of expertise,' says Buhumaid. 'The exhibition component of ARABAL 2008 will complement this by focusing on education for the aluminium industry in the Gulf region; as well as the world-class environment, health and safety initiatives already implemented by leading aluminium companies with a view to protecting the environment, employees and neighbouring communities'.

Buhumaid adds that ARABAL 2008 is the fourth of its kind to be hosted by the company. The previous ARABAL events hosted by DUBAL in Dubai were:
- 3rd International Arab Aluminium Conference and Exhibition, 24 to 26 October 1987;
- 7th International Arab Aluminium Conference and Exhibition, 14 to 16 October 1995; and
- 10th International Arab Aluminium Conference and Exhibition, 11 to 14 November 2001.

'This is a true feather in DUBAL's corporate cap, as DUBAL is the first company to host an ARABAL event for the fourth time,' says Buhumaid. 'We will mark this milestone by delivering one of the most successful ARABAL events ever, thus ensuring that this silver jubilee year is truly memorable'.